Rope clamp



l June 1 1926.

L. R: TOMPKINS ROPE CLAMP Filed May 2Ol 1925 w s MET n 4 III z j mnu 9 a Patented June l, 1926.

nire-:D STATES y 1,581,2@2 yrarflezrrr orifice.

LEWIS R. TOMPKINS, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW' JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HAIZEZVT'O GEORG-E H. SHEA, QUAB/RYYILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROPE CLAMP.

- rIhis invention relates to clamps adapted to be connected adjacent the upper' end ot' a clothes line prop to engage the clothes line to maintain itin proper position.

In a copending application Serial No. 7173 tiled February 5th,`1925, I have shown and described a rope clamp embodying `a clamping member, the body portion of which is arranged adjacent one' side of a clothes line prop nearthe top thereof and has'its upper endv turned downwardly into the U-shaped groovein' the upper end'ot the clothes line prop,to engage the line passing therethroiigh, a cam being connectedto the prop and adaptedto engage the clamp to maintain it v-in operative position.v The present invention is, an'iinp'rovement on my cop'ending application above ridentilied.

An important object of the present invention iste-provide a device ot the above mentioned character 'having a clamping element adaptedl to engage 4the clothes line passing through Athe notch usually provided in the upper end of a "clothes line prop, for maintaining the line in proper position..

A further object is to provide a novel t'orm ot clamp engaging member whereby the clamp is prevented from moving from operative position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course oi the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment ot the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view o" the device in position on the upper end of a clot-hes line prop,

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 3 a section on line 3-3 ot Figure 2, and,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bracket. y

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an ordinary clothes line prop which is preferably rectangular in cross section and is provided in its upper end with the usual V-shaped notch 11 adapted to receive a clothes line 12 passing therethrough as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A bracket 13 is arranged adjacent one edge of the prop near its upper end. The bracket 13 is substantially U-shaped as relatively small openingsfl) toria purpose" to be described.

Ieterringfto'Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 2O designates a clamping' member preferably formed of flat metaland having a substantially straight central vportion inter mediate its ends as shown at`21. yThe portion 21 ot' the clamp is arrangedfagainst the base 14e oi' the bracket betwee'n'the arms thereof and is provided on its outer vtace withtransverse teeth 22,V The lower end of the clamp is turned outwardly' asat23' to provide a linger piece or 'operating handle. The clamp is "provided'with abent portion 24 adjacent its upper end and the extremity of the clamp is twisted as at 25 whereby the lower extremity 26 of the upper end of the clamp will be arranged transversely ot the notch 11. The end 26 may be provided with a cut-cut portion 27 adapted to tit snugly against the line 12.

Means are provided for securing the cls'tniping member in operative position as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown, a transverse pin 28 is arranged between the arms 15 ofthe bracket and the ends of the pin project through the openings 13. The outer ends of the pin23 may be riveted as at 29 to prevent displacement ot' the pin when the elements of the device are assembled. A latch 30 is arranged between the arms 15 of the bracket and is provided with a trans verse opening 31 to receive the pin 23. The latch 30 slopes downwardly toward its inner end, as shown in Figure 2, and is beveled at its inner end as at 32 to provide aV knife like edge adapted to engage the teeth-22 of the clamp. Resilient means are provided for maintaining the inner end of t-he latch in engagement with the teeth ot the clamp. As shown, I provide a pair ot springs 33 the inner ends 34 of which are adapted to be arranged in the openings 19 formed in 'the arms or" the bracket. The springs 33 are equalled as at 35 and the outer ends 36 of the springs are adapted to be arranged in an opening 37 formed in the upper face ot' the latch, as shown in Figure 2. projects a substantial distance beyond the ends of the arm l5 of the bracket so that it may be conveniently operated.

The operation et' the device is as follows:

The outer end of the latch 30 is moved upnfardly to release the inner end 'thereof from the teeth 22. The operator may then grasp the lower end 23 of the clamp to move the latter upwardly and disengage the upper end of the clamp from the notch 11. The prop then may be placed in position with the line arranged in the notch as shown in lJigures l and 2. The latch 30 is then released and the spring 83 projects the outer end o'f the latch downwardly whereby the inner end thereof moves upwardly into engagement with the teeth 22. rlhe operator may then move the clamp 2O downwardly until the upper end of the clamp firmly engages the line l2, as will be apparent. The engagement of the latch with the clamp prevents the latter from moving upwardly from operative position. Thus it will be apparent that the clothes line will be firmly engaged by the clamp to maintain it in proper position.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape,

T he latch 30 size, and arangement of the parts may bc resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoincd claim.

I claim: i

A device of the character described comprising a substantially Usshaped bracket arranged to one side of a clothes line prop near the top thereof, the arms of said bracket projecting outwardly horizontally from the prop, the base of said bracket being elongated vertically and secured against the prop, a vertically movable rope clamping member having a flat elongated portion arranged between the arms et said bracket with its inner face in contact with the base thereof, the outer face of said member being provided with teeth, a latch arranged between the arms of said bracket and inclined downwardly toward said clanniing member with its inner end nor ially engaging said teeth, a pivot pin connected between the arms ot' said bracket and passing through said latch near its inner end, and a substantially V-shaped spring arrangedL above said latch with its ends secured to the arms of said bracket, the central portion cf said spring contacting with said latch outwardly of said pivot pin for normally depressing the outer end of said latch.

In testimony whereof I alii); my signature.

LEVIS R. TOMPHNS. 

